Сhарter 74: Thе Finаl Сrimе
“Оh no!”
Shen Du and Zhu Yаn bоth thought of thе same thing аt thе sаmе mоmеnt, exсlaiming in unison, startling the two othеrs рresеnt.
“What’s wrоng?” Jiаng Lаngхing quicklу аskеd, whilе Jing Lin аt the dоorway аlsо loоked at them with а grave еxprеssiоn.
Nеithеr Shеn Du nоr Zhu Yаn answerеd Jiаng Langхing’s quеstiоn. Thеy simрlу stared аt еaсh other, as if аlready sееing thrоugh eаch other’s thоughts thrоugh thеir eхсhаngеd glаnсes.
“Whаt dаy is it tоdaу?” Shen Du suddenlу spоkе, his gаze fiхеd intеntlу on Zhu Yan, as if sеeking the answer from hеr.
Instead of аnswering his questiоn, Zhu Yan соunterеd, “Why would they appear at the Western Brightness Temple?”
“Their hearts were taken!”
“The female corpse’s face was disfigured!”
“Today, she will strike again—for the last time!”
The last sentence, they uttered simultaneously once more.
The two others present had already sensed something was amiss. Though they didn’t understand why Shen Du and Zhu Yan had suddenly begun this self-questioning and answering, the content of their words was clearly related to the case—or perhaps to some major event about to happen today.
“Are you saying the culprit will strike today?” Jiang Langxing steeled himself and pressed urgently.
Shen Du nodded heavily. “The more chaotic it is, the more advantageous it is for the culprit to act. No, we absolutely cannot let the culprit continue to act so recklessly.”
With those words, Shen Du turned to leave. Jiang Langxing and Jing Lin hurried after him, and Zhu Yan also stepped forward quickly. “I’ll go with you.”
But Shen Du stopped her. “You stay at the Shen residence. Until we can confirm the culprit’s target, it’s safer for you to remain at home.”
“No.” Zhu Yan refused outright. “It wasn’t just you who realized the culprit would strike again today. I need to go and see the truth for myself.”
“This isn’t the time to argue about this,” Shen Du said, growing impatient. “If you encounter danger, I may not be able to ensure your safety. So, you must stay.”
This was the first time Shen Du had given her such a stern, unequivocal order, leaving no room for refusal and no time for rebuttal.
As soon as he finished speaking, he hurried away with the other two.
Watching the group disappear through the doorway, Zhu Yan clenched her fists. The culprit would strike again today—she absolutely could not miss this opportunity.
After a moment of thought, a strange smile curled at the corner of her lips.
After some clever disguise, Zhu Yan slipped out through the back gate of the Shen residence.
But she hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Jing Lin suddenly appeared beside her.
“The Great Pavilion Commander guessed correctly after all. He knew the Hall Leader’s Wife wouldn’t stay quietly obedient.”
Caught by Jing Lin, Zhu Yan felt somewhat awkward. “Weren’t you accompanying Shen Du to catch the culprit? Why are you back?”
“The Great Pavilion Commander was worried you might act on your own and concerned for your safety, so he sent me to fetch you.”
“Fetch me?” Zhu Yan was puzzled. “Did Shen Du agree to let me join in catching the culprit?”
Jing Lin rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “If we didn’t bring you along, would you really stay quietly at home?”
Zhu Yan had no retort. Of course she wouldn’t.
Zhu Yan followed Jing Lin into the crowd, and it was then that she realized a very serious problem.
Today was the grand Buddhist ceremony. With such a solemn event, every citizen in the city wanted to participate and receive some blessings.
In this sea of people, how easy would it be to find the culprit?Conversely, under such circumstances, the murderer could select targets with utter ease.
A few missing persons could vanish without a trace, and by the time they were discovered, it would likely be too late.
This added considerable difficulty to their pursuit of the killer.
The crowded throng nearly caused the two to lose their way. Even with Jing Lin’s martial skills, moving forward with Zhu Yan was an arduous task.
After a long struggle, Jing Lin managed to bring Zhu Yan to Shen Du’s side.
Shen Du shot Zhu Yan a reproachful glance, only to be stunned speechless by her attire.
“What are you doing?”
Zhu Yan shrugged slightly, feigning helplessness. “What else? I thought you weren’t going to take me.”
Hearing this, Shen Du understood her meaning—this woman truly never let him rest easy.
Even if he didn’t bring her along, she would take matters into her own hands.
She hadn’t considered for a moment how dangerous her actions could be.
“I knew you wouldn’t stay put.”
Shen Du sighed in resignation, as if already accustomed to her ways. After a cold reprimand, he said nothing more.
Zhu Yan pursed her lips and muttered under her breath, unconvinced, “I’m involved in this case too. Who told you not to take me?”
“Enough.” Somehow, Shen Du overheard her muttering, his icy tone carrying the weight of a command.
“Stay close to me. Do not leave my side for even a step.”
“Yes, this humble wife obeys.” Zhu Yan bowed obediently to Shen Du, a sight that sent a shiver down Jing Lin’s spine.
This woman… truly capable of being both stubborn and coquettish. To have such a woman as his wife—the Great Pavilion Commander really had it tough.
The Buddhist ceremony was a matter of national fortune. Not only was the Empress attending, but even the high-ranking officials, including Lai Luozhi and Shen Du, had been invited.
At that moment, the Empress was touring the streets in her phoenix carriage, her majestic presence commanding reverence from the crowds wherever she passed.
Shen Du and Zhu Yan moved forward with the throng, but their minds were wholly focused on apprehending the killer.
They shared the same thought, both acutely aware of the difficulty of the task.
Just then, Shen Du suddenly noticed Lai Luozhi and his entourage standing not far ahead.
Only a few meters away, they would cross paths in moments. In a moment of urgency, Shen Du pushed Zhu Yan back into the crowd.
He didn’t want Lai Luozhi to encounter Zhu Yan—or rather, he wanted to protect this woman.
Zhu Yan was quickly swept away by the crowd. When she realized Shen Du had pushed her, she was utterly bewildered.
Hadn’t he just told her to stay by his side without leaving even a step? Why had he suddenly pushed her away?
Jing Lin’s lips parted slightly, as if to say something, but he remained silent.
The Unrighteous Agent Jiang Langxing understood the situation and pushed through the crowd toward Zhu Yan.
Meanwhile, Lai Luozhi had also spotted Shen Du.
Before Shen Du could approach, Lai Luozhi strode forward with his followers, a smile on his face—though it was the kind of smile that concealed a dagger, making one itch to punch him.
“Lord Shen truly has a carefree heart. With your head about to roll, you still have the leisure to observe the Buddhist ceremony. Are you worried about your next life’s reincarnation, so you’ve come to beg the Buddha’s blessing for an early rebirth?”
Lai Luozhi’s mockery was met with Shen Du’s disdainful snort. “A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory. No one would mistake you for mute if you kept quiet.”Upon hearing this, Lai Luozhi was not angered but rather smug. "Lord Shen, why must your words be so harsh? As colleagues, we are merely concerned for you. Today's Buddhist ceremony is grand, and there are many worshippers offering incense—so many that some cannot even reach the incense burner. If you wish to offer incense, I can open a convenient path for you, ensuring you pass through unimpeded."
Shen Du cast a cold glance at Lai Luozhi. He knew this man's approach never boded well, but he hadn't expected him to be so full of pointless chatter.
"Who will lose their head remains to be seen, Lord Lai. Do not speak too soon."
"Is that so?" Lai Luozhi's tone was flippant, his expression confident. "I've heard you still haven't caught the murderer."
"There are still half a day left. Why are you in such a hurry, Lord Lai?"
Lai Luozhi was left speechless by Shen Du's retort. After his face flushed pale and then red, he let out a disdainful sneer.
"Let's see how long you can keep up this arrogance. I merely wanted to remind you to keep the Inner Guard Bureau's seal safe. I am a man who values cleanliness, and if the seal is soiled when I take over, I would have to have it recast—what a hassle."
With that, Lai Luozhi straightened his sleeves, brushing off the dust on his robe.
"Lord Lai worries too much." Shen Du's tone remained cool but carried a hint of authority. "Everything in my Inner Guard Bureau belongs to me, Shen Du. No one else may lay a finger on it. As for how the things in your Judicial Affairs Bureau were obtained, you know that better than anyone. You worry my seal might dirty your hands, but I worry your Judicial Affairs Bureau cannot accommodate such a revered object as my seal."
"Lord Shen should choose your words carefully." Lai Luozhi's tone suddenly shifted, his previously smug expression turning serious. "We have kept each other in check for years, never mentioning matters of the inner court. Are you planning to break this long-standing rule?"
"The Buddhist ceremony is grand, and many commoners have come to pay their respects. If you have time to bicker with me here, Lord Lai, you would do better to spare some effort in arranging personnel to strengthen security and do something useful."
Their conversation carried a hint of tension, with neither yielding in presence. As the Empress's right-hand men, they had long harbored mutual disdain.
Shen Du had no desire to engage further. After rebuffing Lai Luozhi, he entered the crowd to search for Zhu Yan.
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